Make Your Voice Heard to Keep Durham Affordable

posted by Michele Sager | 90sc

Do you wonder who will be living in all those new apartment buildings going up around town? We can tell you who WON'T be living there - new teachers, young police officers, firefighters, and small business creators, many long time residents, young families, and emerging artists. Just the folks we should be incentivizing to live in town, not keeping out.

Now is the time to make your voice heard. Tell our leaders on City Council that we are committed to the goal of ensuring 15% affordable housing in all new development around future transit hubs. That housing is being built NOW, so we must speak up NOW. Did you know that the cheapest rent in the new apartments being built on 9th street is $1100 for a small studio? Those rents will drive out just the folks we want to attract!

Email City Council, Council@durhamnc.gov, and tell them to keep Durham affordable. Ask them to approve rezoning requests around transit stops ONLY if they include 15% affordable housing. Developers are looking for rezoning give aways and the landslide of these requests is just getting started. It's time we asked for something in return. Take a moment today and let your elected officials know you care, and that you're paying attention.

Then, we need a strong presence at City Hall to support affordable housing on Monday, December 1, 7:00 pm. City Council will decide whether to rezone Erwin Terrace for more apartments with or without affordable homes. RSVP and let us know we can count on you to stand with us on this important issue.